indoor portrait work: something cheap and very useful

jamiebonline

jamiebonline

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Hi all,

I have been taking outdoor photos with some success (I think!) of amateur models in my city. Winter is coming and not only because of the weather but cause of my growing interest, I'd like to do indoor stuff.

I have access to a quite large old room with white walls and moderately large old windows. My initial plan was to take portraits of the models sitting on the window sill or standing next to the window. For this I bought some reflectors to help lighten the side of their face away from the window. I might get net curtains too to diffuse the light more (?)
Then I saw something about one light photography and bought a yongnuo flash and triggers and a tripod.
I have very little money and almost none left! :( could you recommend me something very useful for less than 80 pounds to add to this set up? I am thinking about white umbrellas or diffusers. The flash has a little diffuser and bounce card built in. Not much good? What do you guys think of sto-fen omni's? I understand it depends what I want from this but your thoughts are very helpful to me as always.

Thanks again!

J
 
Now you have got your flash off camera, none of the 'flashgun fit' diffusers is going to give you a massive improvement. If you're in a white walled room, go for a softbox and bracket, you can get set up for less than £50.
If you can leave it set up you can get something you have to assemble, if you're needing to put it up in a hurry get something that pops up. If you can afford it get one you can attach a grid to. That'll give you loads of options, check out Amazon, and ask more questions if you need.
 
Phil V said:
Now you have got your flash off camera, none of the 'flashgun fit' diffusers is going to give you a massive improvement. If you're in a white walled room, go for a softbox and bracket, you can get set up for less than £50.
If you can leave it set up you can get something you have to assemble, if you're needing to put it up in a hurry get something that pops up. If you can afford it get one you can attach a grid to. That'll give you loads of options, check out Amazon, and ask more questions if you need.
Click to expand...

Hi Phil

Thanks a lot. Is it something along these lines...?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pro-60cm-...trols_Softboxes_Diffusers&hash=item41728b97de
 
jacob12_1993 said:
I'd go for an eBay 60cm soft box, Koenig light stand and a couple of brollies. Should be plenty of room to purchase them with £80
Click to expand...

Thanks! I found them on ebay. Could you tell me if the colour of the walls make a big difference? As long as they are lightly coloured
 
jamiebonline said:
Thanks! I found them on ebay. Could you tell me if the colour of the walls make a big difference? As long as they are lightly coloured
Click to expand...

The more neutral the better, ideally all studios would have black walls so we can add light / reflectors as necessary, but as long as your distances from the walls is adequate and you're only ever using shoot throughs as fill it shouldn't be too much of a worry.

You'll find similar prices on Amazon to Ebay, and I'd use Amazon as a preference personally (except when I've got loads of money in my Paypal acct).
 
If you're getting a rear lit softbox, go for one with an internal diffuser. And like I said, if you can stretch, a grid too.
 
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Another option is the brolly box, have 2 myself, have used them on location a fair amount and been happy with them, can be used with Speedlights and Flash Heads if you upgrade later on.

Umbrella Softbox
 
Thanks again everyone, I just bought a light stand and softbox with bracket on ebay for around 55 pounds. The flash triggers are in the post too. Looking forward.
I should post some of my efforts here when I start taking pictures. :)

J
 
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